PE Training: Eng-Tips Forum
PE Training: Eng-Tips Forum
(OP)
Would it be considered moral, ethical, and non-fattening to include portions of the www.eng-tips.com forum responding time and reading as professional development for continuing ed credits?





RE: PE Training: Eng-Tips Forum
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FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies
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RE: PE Training: Eng-Tips Forum
David Simpson, PE
MuleShoe Engineering
"Belief" is the acceptance of an hypotheses in the absence of data.
"Prejudice" is having an opinion not supported by the preponderance of the data.
"Knowledge" is only found through the accumulation and analysis of data.
The plural of anecdote is not "data"
RE: PE Training: Eng-Tips Forum
So until you're audited, it's not a worry. Keep records and be sure to have an explanation ready. When I renew, I fill out a matrix with dates and titles that I keep on our server. By the time you get audited, it's hard to remember the details. I've been audited twice (Nevada and Texas), and even though it was a pain to figure out how to respond, I just regurgitated my information, give them the records that I did have (Certificates, sign in sheets, etc.) and wrapped it up in a signed letter.
Take it easy, don't only depend on Eng-Tips and you'll be fine.
RE: PE Training: Eng-Tips Forum
I don't mean to negate the quality of the eng-tips website but I just don't think it qualifies as continuing ed.
From the perspective of formality, I would also be cautious. If I remember correctly some states require a "list of attendees" to be kept by the host of the continuing ed session so that records can be verified. At least, when we were hosting professional development seminars, this was the instruction we were given.
Yes, it's on the honor system. But I think time spent surfing a bulletin board could be a gray area at best, deceptive at worst.
PE, SE
Eastern United States
"If a builder builds a house for someone, and does not construct it properly, and the house which he built falls in and kills its owner, then that builder shall be put to death!"
~Code of Hammurabi
RE: PE Training: Eng-Tips Forum
David Simpson, PE
MuleShoe Engineering
"Belief" is the acceptance of an hypotheses in the absence of data.
"Prejudice" is having an opinion not supported by the preponderance of the data.
"Knowledge" is only found through the accumulation and analysis of data.
The plural of anecdote is not "data"
RE: PE Training: Eng-Tips Forum
As I said, you shouldn't claim all 16 credits a year based on the website, but a 1 pdh or 2 is OK.
RE: PE Training: Eng-Tips Forum
Casual, unlisted or unlogged reading on a generic internet energy web sites would be more than debatable; logged hours researching on specified engineering, scientific or technical web sites (for machining details, or metal specifications or heat transfer theory, radiation and thermal equations) could be more easily supported to the PE agency. Specific documentation (for example) more of a large number (100 or 200) of explicitly technical replies and critical discussions on eng-tips would also be valid, but the registrant would be more credible if those hours were only for a portion of the total pro-dev. hours for a different year.
RE: PE Training: Eng-Tips Forum
RE: PE Training: Eng-Tips Forum
If you are honestly in here to learn and contribute to the betterment of other engineers, including yourself, how is that different than attending a seminar? That is only once a month or so. This site is every day.
I had the same question here five years ago regarding continuing education and this site...
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
RE: PE Training: Eng-Tips Forum
thread507-195147: PDH's
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FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies
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RE: PE Training: Eng-Tips Forum
Damn but you're good! :)
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
RE: PE Training: Eng-Tips Forum
RE: PE Training: Eng-Tips Forum
They also said that participation in this particular forum (Professional Ethics) could (under certain guidelines) satisfy part of the ethics PDH requirements. That requires a bit more explanation if audited, but the certainly felt that participation here was in line with the intent of that portion of the law.
This has been an anecdote about a particular conversation that I had with a member of the New Mexico Board. A different member or a different board may have completely different opinions. Have your own conversation.
David Simpson, PE
MuleShoe Engineering
"Belief" is the acceptance of an hypotheses in the absence of data.
"Prejudice" is having an opinion not supported by the preponderance of the data.
"Knowledge" is only found through the accumulation and analysis of data.
The plural of anecdote is not "data"
RE: PE Training: Eng-Tips Forum
Now, it would be a stretch to say - "Well, I used about 30 hours reading about engineering problems and ethics on-line" to claim 30 hours on-line training; but that is not the case here. Here, editing and writing on-line contributions towards the 1 or 2 hours needed for continuing registration in ethics.
RE: PE Training: Eng-Tips Forum
David Simpson, PE
MuleShoe Engineering
"Belief" is the acceptance of an hypotheses in the absence of data.
"Prejudice" is having an opinion not supported by the preponderance of the data.
"Knowledge" is only found through the accumulation and analysis of data.
The plural of anecdote is not "data"
RE: PE Training: Eng-Tips Forum
RE: PE Training: Eng-Tips Forum
TTFN

FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies
Need help writing a question or understanding a reply? forum1529: Translation Assistance for Engineers
RE: PE Training: Eng-Tips Forum
Many of us here teach classes that satisfy PDH requirements. The single biggest difference is that if I say something really wrong (even dangerous) in a classroom, then the students will most likely write it down as gospel. If I say the same thing here, at least a dozen of my peers will take me to task immediately. I don't know what planet you are coming from, but in my world peer-reviewed trumps pontification every time. I am cheered by the fact that my board agrees with me, not you MainMan10.
David Simpson, PE
MuleShoe Engineering
"Belief" is the acceptance of an hypotheses in the absence of data.
"Prejudice" is having an opinion not supported by the preponderance of the data.
"Knowledge" is only found through the accumulation and analysis of data.
The plural of anecdote is not "data"
RE: PE Training: Eng-Tips Forum
RE: PE Training: Eng-Tips Forum
What I see from racookepe1978 and zdas4 is that they are the active sharers of technical information. Each technical question that they answer is based on experience, expertise, and (as is certainly my case) some research.
I agree David, that the peer review here is swift and vicious - just as it should be. I suppose that I could sit back, crack open a bottle of scotch, and read a Journal. I may even learn something, if I don't spill. But active participation in a "live" peer-review environment, such as this, is vastly better for both me as a professional, and for the public, for whom I have a sworn duty to protect.
RE: PE Training: Eng-Tips Forum
And that's precisely how you determine whose opinion is valid. You essentially are looking at an online resume, the number of pink stars awarded, the number of years, their ranking in the individual forum MVP listings, etc. Moreover, you'll find that those like racookepe1978 and zdas4 are mostly responders, as opposed to those who only post questions and replies within their own postings. Someone who is, or never has been, helpful, is an unknown quantity and ought to be viewed with suspicion. Their longevity is a testament to their contributions and being peer-reviewed themselves by other users on the site. Someone who routinely gives out false or misleading information will not get many "likes" and may get booted off the site altogether.
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FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies
Need help writing a question or understanding a reply? forum1529: Translation Assistance for Engineers
RE: PE Training: Eng-Tips Forum
Spending an hour in the eng-tips.com "Professional Ethics" forum brings up cogent discussions of relevant topics that far exceed the quality of the 5 "official" ethics PDH classes I've taken. I don't claim that this forum satisfies all of the ethics PDH requirements for my state, but it should. It is way better than the sanctioned courses.
David Simpson, PE
MuleShoe Engineering
"Belief" is the acceptance of an hypotheses in the absence of data.
"Prejudice" is having an opinion not supported by the preponderance of the data.
"Knowledge" is only found through the accumulation and analysis of data.
The plural of anecdote is not "data"
RE: PE Training: Eng-Tips Forum
As Kyle implied above, you could just as easily document technical discussions with your colleagues while sitting around the lunch-table. There's a reason why states have not allowed that as PDH's. Eng-tips is just a bigger table with a bunch of unknown colleagues; even the janitor can inject his opinion.
RE: PE Training: Eng-Tips Forum
David Simpson, PE
MuleShoe Engineering
"Belief" is the acceptance of an hypotheses in the absence of data.
"Prejudice" is having an opinion not supported by the preponderance of the data.
"Knowledge" is only found through the accumulation and analysis of data.
The plural of anecdote is not "data"
RE: PE Training: Eng-Tips Forum
Mainman10 just doesent get it.
RE: PE Training: Eng-Tips Forum
You say I don't get it but you haven't apparently read the subject of this thread. This thread is about claiming PDH's. As I said, the info here is not necessarily wrong, but I dont think it counts toward the formal PDH system. I learn a lot by working under a senior engineer and consulting with fellow co-workers; however, such learning doesn't count for a PDH.
RE: PE Training: Eng-Tips Forum
Really - what's the difference between near-real-time peer review from here and a Journal where you may have pal-review? I think that the responses in this thread alone are enough to convince me that the peer review system here works, probably even better than that of a Journal.
BTW - pathologizing users of a forum is certainly not the way to win friends and influence people.
RE: PE Training: Eng-Tips Forum
...and in most cases its responses from the same "core" of people who live on this site and quite possibly may have internet addiction problems.
Sounds like you are dissing the site to me.
RE: PE Training: Eng-Tips Forum
Dan - Owner
http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com
RE: PE Training: Eng-Tips Forum
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
RE: PE Training: Eng-Tips Forum
David Simpson, PE
MuleShoe Engineering
"Belief" is the acceptance of an hypotheses in the absence of data.
"Prejudice" is having an opinion not supported by the preponderance of the data.
"Knowledge" is only found through the accumulation and analysis of data.
The plural of anecdote is not "data"
RE: PE Training: Eng-Tips Forum
I don't have my PE yet, but my colleagues and I go to professional meetings often enough, and get enough free drinks from the open bar that professional development hours are not an issue.
RE: PE Training: Eng-Tips Forum
Good for you; however with a homepage like your's, doing pretty much any sort of marking is going to generate revenue. That is not reason to credit this site with pdh's.
To normal people with average login counts of 0.5 times per day or less, seeing those with over 5 per day is really abnormal. It really questions the legitimacy of eng-tips to be a formal resource that will be accepted by engineering boards.
RE: PE Training: Eng-Tips Forum
Dan - Owner
http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com
RE: PE Training: Eng-Tips Forum
I don't have much of a problem with PDH accumulation -- a lot of my time is spent researching something relatively new to me and then preparing and delivering a short course on it.
That said, I still think eng-tips participation is valid for PDH consideration. Printing out a few threads and one's user profile should be ample documentation.
Best to you,
Goober Dave
Haven't see the forum policies? Do so now: Forum Policies
RE: PE Training: Eng-Tips Forum
There, that's what I think that you meant to say.